10 COUNTY SURVEY Thursday, June 18, 2015 DAILY NATION TAKING STOCK | 600 respondents were interviewed in each county during a poll conducted by Infotrak Research Machakos tops service delivery M BY SAMUEL KARANJA @Wachege1 schege@ke.nationmedia.com achakos County emerged top in providing services in several devolved functions, a survey by Infotrak Research has shown. Of the 16 functions on which resi- dents of various counties were polled, Machakos led in six. The perception survey sought to find out what the public thought about how the 47 counties had fared in providing services in agriculture, health, public works, county planning and development, transport, pollution control, cultural activities and entertainment. Other areas included education, trade development regulation, animal control and welfare, fighting drug abuse and pornography, women and youth empowerment, public participation and environmental conservation. Survey sought to find out what public thought about how 47 counties had fared in providing services in areas such as agriculture, health and transport The poll, conducted between De- cember last year and February this year, showed that Machakos scored 68.8 per cent in the provision of health care to residents while Bomet had an approval rating of 67.9 per cent, followed by Kisii at 66.5 per cent. Those polled were asked to rate their county government’s performance on “making it easier for you and your family to access public health facilities in the county”. They were also asked to rate their counties’ performance in “ensuring that your health concerns were handled to your expectation whenever you have visited the public health facilities”. Other devolved units that polled favourably included Kwale (65.8 per cent), Nyeri (65.6 per cent) and Elgeyo-Marakwet (65.3 per cent). On how well the counties were offer- ing public works services, Machakos also led with a rating of 61.7 per cent, followed by Kakamega at 59.8 per cent and Kisii in third position with an approval rating of 59.4 per cent. Residents were asked to judge their county government’s ability to manage the collection and disposal of garbage, providing solutions for safe disposal of sewage and solid waste and ensuring a proper drainage system as well as providing clean drinking water. Mombasa (59.3 per cent), Garissa (58.9 per cent) and Bungoma (58.5 per cent) also emerged among the top five in the provision of public works services, according to the CountyTrak Index. On county planning and develop- ment, Machakos also emerged tops by scoring a rating of 57.8 per cent while Bungoma came second at 55.5 per cent, followed by Kisii at 55.4 per cent. Residents were asked to rate their county government’s performance in developing plans for affordable housing, facilitating access to affordable electricity, kerosene and gas in their homes, and developing plans to deal with emergencies and disasters such as fire, flooding and earthquakes. Also appearing among the top five was Vihiga (54.6 per cent), Uasin Gishu (54.3 per cent) and Mombasa (54.1 per cent). The research also placed Machakos on top in better management of transport services at 67.6 per cent, while Mombasa followed with a rating of 65.6 per cent. Respondents were asked to rate their county government’s performance in terms of better road maintenance, proper management of traffic and parking, installation and maintenance of traffic lights and ensuring ferries are safe, accessible and comfortable. Vihiga was rated third at 63 per cent while Kisii (61.7 per cent) and Kisumu (61.2 per cent) completed the list of the top five counties better at managing their transport system. Nairobi, with its infamous traffic gridlocks, had an approval rating of 60.6 per cent and emerged sixth. Under cultural activities, public entertainment and amenities, the government of Machakos was also rated high at 64.1 per cent, with Mombasa following with a rating of 59.9 per cent, during the poll in which 600 respondents were interviewed in each county. Respondents were asked “under cultural activities, public entertainment and amenities, how would you rate your county government’s performance in: ensuring that bars and restaurants don’t interfere with your privacy, promoting the establishment of recreational parks, sports stadia and cultural facilities?” Bungoma scored an approval rating of 59.8 per cent while both Bomet and Vihiga also attracted better ratings from their residents at 59.4 per cent. On how counties were faring in trade development and regulation, Machakos also led at 60.8 per cent, with Kajiado County following closely at 58.4 per cent. Residents were asked to rate their devolved unit’s performance in increasing trade and local tourism in counties. Also in the top five was Mombasa with a rating of 57.9 per cent, Vihiga 68.8pc 28,200 Approval rating for Machakos County in the provision of health care to residents Number of people interviewed for the InfoTrak survey. Respondents only rated their respective counties. SOURCE | INFOTRAK RESEARCH AND CONSULTING Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, whose county government had highest approval rating Bomet Gover- nor Isaac Ruto, whose county was ranked second among the top performers Kisii Governor James Ongwae, whose county was rated third among the top performers The happiest counties in Kenya Kwale Gover- nor Salim Mvurya, whose county was fourth best with approval rating of 65.8p.c. Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, whose county government had an approval rating of 65.6p.c. LEADERS WHOSE COUNTIES PERFORMED WELL